Common French phrases: talking about time
Talking about time is an important aspect of daily conversation in any language.
In French, there are many common phrases used to discuss time, from asking what time it is to discussing schedules and deadlines.
In this lesson, we’ll go over some of the most common French phrases for talking about time.
Quelle heure est-il ? (What time is it?)
This phrase is used to ask for the current time.
Il est midi. (It’s noon.)
This phrase is used to express a specific time of day.
À quelle heure est le rendez-vous ? (What time is the appointment?)
This phrase is used to ask about the time of an upcoming event.
J’ai un cours à 9 heures. (I have a class at 9 o’clock.)
This phrase is used to discuss a scheduled activity.
Dans combien de temps ? (How long until then?)
This phrase is used to ask how much time is left until a specific event.
Je suis en retard. (I’m late.)
This phrase is used to indicate that you’re running behind schedule.
Dans une heure. (In an hour.)
This phrase is used to indicate when something will happen in the future.
À quelle heure est-ce que tu te lèves ? (What time do you wake up?)
This phrase is used to ask about someone’s daily routine.
Je suis disponible à partir de 14 heures. (I’m available starting at 2 o’clock.)
This phrase is used to express availability during a specific time period.
Je dois partir à 16 heures. (I have to leave at 4 o’clock.)
This phrase is used to indicate a specific departure time.
Combien de temps dure le film ? (How long is the movie?)
This phrase is used to ask about the duration of an event.
Je travaille de 9 heures à 17 heures. (I work from 9 to 5.)
This phrase is used to indicate a work schedule.
Il y a une heure de décalage horaire. (There is a one-hour time difference.)
This phrase is used to discuss time differences between locations.
Je suis en avance. (I’m early.)
This phrase is used to indicate that you’ve arrived early for an event.
Je suis disponible demain matin. (I’m available tomorrow morning.)
This phrase is used to express availability for a specific time period in the future.
Learning these common French phrases for discussing time will help you communicate more effectively in a variety of situations.
Additionally, it is helpful to learn basic French vocabulary and grammar rules to build your language skills. With practice and persistence, you’ll soon be able to discuss time with ease in French.